LTRP Note: It appears that Wycliffe Bible Translators has been introducing the deception of contemplative spirituality (i.e., Spiritual Formation) to its members as the letter to the editor and our own documentation below show.
Dear Lighthouse Trails:
Wycliffe has now added Spiritual Formation heresy to its ranks. Sue Russell, the Spiritual Formation “specialist” has two Webinars on the website. One is about “hearing God” and the second, entering God’s presence in “The Silence.” Yes, we are to enter in with reverence and awe and confession in Jesus name, but the phrase, “The Silence” is now the universal platform for all to enter in no matter what faith. I also personally talked to a missionary from Wycliffe who said he reads Dallas Willard and feels people just have “misunderstood” Spiritual Formation.
J.C.
Lighthouse Trails Comments: Lighthouse Trails has substantiated our reader’s letter about Wycliffe Bible Translators as you can see in the links we have provided below:
2022: Wycliffe Global Alliance teaching Lectio Divina. (WGA is a separate organization but works in conjunction with Wycliffe Bible Translators and is very closely affiliated with it.
Current: The following information was found on Sue Russell’s Facebook page where she states she has been a member of Wycliffe Bible Translators for 20 years. She states that in 2013 she attended Talbot School of Theology at Biola University where she earned a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. Undoubtedly, this is where Ms. Russell learned the contemplative way; as many of our readers know, we have addressed Biola and Talbot’s contemplative nature numerous times over the last 20 years.
It is not our intention to single out Sue Russell. Obviously, there are those in Wycliffe’s leadership that have allowed contemplative spirituality via Spiritual Formation to find a home in Wycliffe, and they would not have allowed it if they did not agree with it so Ms. Russell does not stand alone in this.
As we watch contemplative spirituality enter into another organization, we wonder in dismay when the church (namely, its leaders and pastors) will begin to take the contemplative issue seriously and warn about it rather than aiding and abetting it. If they understood the true nature of the Spiritual Formation movement (e.g., it’s panentheistic and mystical New Age roots), perhaps they would re-evaluate their complicity. Then again, we know that once a person starts meditating, he or she is drawn to the euphoric altered state, which gives him or her a deep yearning for this other-worldly experience; and tragically delusion sets in.
Related Information:
Dear Lighthouse Trails,
Wycliffe Global Alliance’s ecumenical associate “The Lausanne Movement” heralds the ‘success’ of the Pentecostal Church to reach various cultures. The ‘healings’ that now go along with their theology is bringing new “converts.” But is the Gospel truly
ineffective without healings? Now the written Word is being declared ineffective without the miraculous. This ‘ministry’ is also allowing cultures to keep their false gods. Quote: “By presenting the Holy Spirit as a good and more powerful Spirit, Pentecostal dualism allows its adherents to maintain their indigenous Spiritual cosmology.” (Why Pentecostalism Has Succeeded among Animists – Lausaunne Movement.”) (https://lausanne.org/content/lga/2021-01/pentecostalism-in-african-christianity)
Thank you,
Jan
Dear Lighthouse Trails,
Wycliffe Global Alliance embraces the “Orality Movement” which focuses on Bible “story telling” (to reach unbelievers) with watered- down Scriptures. What is added is songs, poems and chantings. This concept came from Catholic priest Walter Ong who actually believed that the spoken word is conducive and the written word restricts. (This is a very clever ploy by Satan to eradicate God’s written Word, and reflects the war in the Church today: The (false) “voice of God” the (false) “Rhema”, warring against the true “Logos,” the written Word of God.) Though the story telling can be helpful to those who respond better to ‘hearing,’ the Scriptures, however, are not the sole focus.
(Oral Bible Translation Moves to the Forefront – Wycliffe Global Alliance) Discernment editor E.W. Williams says: “Story Runners, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, has provided a storytelling tip sheet for crafting a story. Bible crafters are told to avoid words and phrases used in some Bible translations not used in everyday speech which can be confusing. “Instead of ‘sin,’ consider using the phrase ‘disobedience to God.’ Other difficult words to avoid include righteous, forgive, atonement, baptism, repent, and saved.” Williams continues: “The deception of the oral Bible is that it crafts Scripture to make it culturally appropriate and worldview-sensitive. It offers a non-offensive Gospel that is not the Gospel of truth.” (“Beware of the Orality Movement” -E.S. Williams-The Bible League Trust)
“Watch and warn…” Acts 20:28-30
Thank you, Jan
Well said Jen. And not only does contemplative prayer make one feel good, it makes one vulnerable to demonic activity. This is something most don’t seem to understand (that it’s serious and dangerous business).
‘……we wonder in dismay when the church (namely, its leaders and pastors) will begin to take the contemplative issue seriously and warn about it rather than aiding and abetting it.’
In this visible 2 Tim age of self everything, leaders and pastors further feed into the pit of me, myself and I.
Not all of course, but the church growth movement of Warren et al, skirts anything that would unseat people. Contemplatives fall into the same category of making YOU feel good. If you’ve never met the risen Christ….. ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke24:32 The message from the pulpit each week should convict some area of our lives to correct, not words that consistently wrap us in warm quilts with a pat on the head and an ice cream cone as we leave the sanctuary.